THE CENSUS—PETITION. (Hansard, 16 June 1890)

LORD BALFOUR OF BURLEIGH

My Lords, I have to present a Petition from the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the prayer of which states that the petitioners are desirous that the connection with different denominations of the people of Scotland should be definitely and authoritatively ascertained, and that this should be done in taking the next Census. I understand that this Petition is presented because in the course of certain recent events, importance has been attached by some people to the argument which may be deduced from there being a majority of those who adhere to one denomination rather than to another. Without expressing any opinion upon the validity or usefulness of that argument, I desire to say, on behalf of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, that their desire is that the exact state of matters, be it what it may, should be ascertained.